[Donnah (OP)]

Does anyone know what the most effective mosquito repellant is?  Something natural is preferable, but I'll resort to commercial products to interrupt their blood buffet[}:)] before my body is drained.

Also, why do mosquitoes prefer the taste of some people over others?

[NakedScientist]

Donnah - I can tell you what attracts them !

check out http://www.thenakedscientists.com/html/shows/2000.08.13.htm for the mosquito story - also look under "full length text" for the full (non audio explanation) - guaranteed to make you chuckle !

TNS

[Exodus]

I can tell you for a fact that they are not keen at all on the smell of Lavender so keep a small pot of lavender by your bed when sleeping... You can also collect fresh lavender and rub it onto your skin as a more potent repellent.

Resident Tour Operator - The Naked Scientists

[Donnah (OP)]

TNS, so all I have to do is wash my feet[], or set out some stinky socks or Limburger cheese to attract them away from me!  Gee, thanks.

Exodus, lavendar can also cause a drop in blood pressure, so maybe it's harder for the little vampires to get.  I'll try some lavendar essential oil next time I go to the garden.  There's a slough across the road from the garden that is a perfect breeding ground for the mini-horrors.

Why is it that only female mosquitoes bite?  What do male mosquitoes eat?

[Quantumcat]

Female mosquitos need energy to make eggs, male mosquitos only live to mate then die. When they're adults they don't eat anything I don't think, their purpose in life is to mate then die.

Am I dead? Am I alive? I'm both!

[bezoar]

This isn't exactly natural but it works.  Tuck a Bounce fabric softener in your belt.  It repels mosquitos very effectively.  Also, if you want a lotion, the Avon Skin So Soft is supposed to work well too.  I used it on the children when they were young and it worked great.  I don't know if you can get this other than locally, but Dr. Tichenor's mouthwash does a great job of killing the itch after you're bitten.  In lieu of that, you might try ammonia.

Bezoar

[Ians Daddy]

Dr. Tichenor's can kill anything. That is, by far, the strongest mouthwash ever. I believe it could strip paint.

[Donnah (OP)]

Thanks Bezoar, and welcome to the forum.  I'll try the fabric softener sheet; it's the easiest.  The mosquitoes here have suddenly disappeared.  I suspect that the government has been doing something to reduce the numbers now that West Nile virus has reached the area.  

What other diseases do the little vermin carry?  Malaria and yellow fever, I think.  What else?

[Ians Daddy]

No, I'm sorry, I was exagerating. Just another Texas Tall Tale. []
It is a very strong mouthwash and does feel as though it has stripped your mouth. I haven't tried it on paint, but you've got me curious now. I'll let you know.

[n9ninchd]

The males eat nectar and algea.
Females only suck blood to produce eggs, and they only do it when they need to (it could be a life altering experiance for them). Otherwise they eat algea and nectar.

These freaks of nature are required. What they do is prevent the nasty algea growth in lakes streams and rivers. They eat the micro-organizms and micro-algea that line the shores of these places, both as adults and larva.

[bezoar]

I heard that only the male mosquitoes buzz or hum.  The females don't make any sound at all.  Is that true?  So there's no need to swat them if you can hear them?

[chris]

Sounds dodgy to me [^]

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[Donnah (OP)]

No, I've had the females buzz around and then land and bite (or get splatted).

[nilmot]

How can you tell it's a female?

Tom

[Exodus]

She has an aversion to nagging the male mosquitos, loves cats, shoes and carries a dustpan and brush around in her car boot to tidy up after those slight bumps! LOL!

Resident Tour Operator - The Naked Scientists

[Andy]

I am getting such a kick out of reading your messages I had to join in.  I really do want to know the difference between male and female mosquitos.  We have these giant mosquito looking bugs (they could also be described a daddy long-legs with wings) that I have been told are the male mosquitos.  A lot of people also call them Mosquito-eaters.  Does anyone actually know what these are?[?]

[chris]

Daddy Long-Legs are Crane Flies and definitely don't drink blood (otherwise there would be a lot of anaemic people around, judging by the size of them !

Good question though. One assumes that male mosquitos look like females except they don't bite. I'm so intrigued I'm now going to have to look this one up !

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[tweener]

quote:Originally posted by Andy

I am getting such a kick out of reading your messages I had to join in.  I really do want to know the difference between male and female mosquitos.  We have these giant mosquito looking bugs (they could also be described a daddy long-legs with wings) that I have been told are the male mosquitos.  A lot of people also call them Mosquito-eaters.  Does anyone actually know what these are?[?]

Welcome Andy,
I've heard of them called "Galleynippers", and they are not mosquitoes of any sort.  They are kind of fun to watch sometimes.

----
John - The Eternal Pessimist.

[Ylide]

Wow, this is an old conversation that was resurrected.  I just read something today in Scientific American that claimed that cinnamon oil is not only an effect skeeter repellent but it is also toxic to their larvae...like 10 times more so than DEET and way less toxic to us humans.  



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[Donnah (OP)]

Cinnamon oil is also supposed to kill warts.  Anyone tried it?